Trolley-line switch for overhead electric conductors



(No Model.)

W. LE B. EMMET. TROLLEY LINE SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL GONDUGTORS. No. 439,746.

Patented Nov.

W" attozmm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM LE ROY EMMET, OF EAST ROCKAWAY, NEW YORK.

TROLLEY-LINE SWlTCH FOR OVERHEAD ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,746, dated November 4, 1890. Application filed May 7, 1890. Serial No. 350,866. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LE ROY EM- MET, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Rockaway, Queens county, and State of New York, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvement in Trolley-Switches for Overhead Electrical Conductors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a universal trolley-switch for under-contact flanged trolleys, and is adapted for use where the tracks and wires branch in Y form and for right and left hand side turn-outs. The switch consists of a single casting of bronze or other metal, having three branches, each of which is secured to its respective wire, leaving the common joint of said branches. These branches are preferably of V-sect-ion and taper to a point at the ends. Each branch has a groove in the side, which is up when in position in which the wire lies, being soldered there. The switch is put in place under the wire and is intended to be used with a trolley or contact device having an upward pressure, which brings it into contact with the lower side of the wire. The trolley used has two flanges, either revolving or stationary, to act as guides to keep said trolley on the wire. The general action of the switch depends upon the principle that the trolley will take the direction that the car assume as it reaches the switch, since the flanges of the trolley-wheel will always point toward the center of the car.

The advantages of this form of switch are that it is simple, indestructible, small, and therefore light. As the switch will work in four ways-via, where two wires converge into one or one wire splits into two-it is universal in its action. The trolley-wire need not be cut, bent, or moved out of its proper position, which is over the center of the track.

In the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan View of the under side of a casting for a righthand turn-out, assuming it to be in position on the line. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the right-hand side when in the position seen in Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a left-hand side elevation; and Figs. 4 to 9 various sections through the casting at L, S, P, R, H, D, E, I, N, and V.

In the following description the terms highest, lowest, 850., are used with reference to the body of the switch itself and assuming it to be in an inverted position and directly opposite to what it would be in use.

Referring to the drawings, the higher edge or flange of the arm A is extended and curved, so as to meet and form one with the higher edge or flange of the arm 0, thus forming a continuous ridge or flange from the point of A to the point of C. At or near the center of the switch, where this flangeA O curves,there is a deep cut or score D in the metal. This score extends lengthwise of the switch and separates the flange A C from the other portions of the switch. The flange of the arm B gradually increases in height as it approaches the center of the switch, reaching its highest point at E and terminating at F, where it meets the score D.

On the side of the arm B away from G and near the center of the switch there is a flange G H. There is a score K separating this flange from the flange of the arm 13.

The various depths of the scores and the heights of the flanges are as follows: The bottom of the switch, with the exception of the web between G and B, is a plane conforming to that of the two wires joining at that point. The highest points of the switch are at M in the flange G H and at E in the flange B, these being the points farthest from the plane of the conducting-wires. The central and highest point of the score K is farther below the wire than the central or curved portion of the flange A O. The score D eats nearly through to the plane of the wire, just sufficient metal being left for strength. Both the scoreD and the score K curve downward at both ends until they are cut by the plane of the wires, as shown.

Y is a perforated lug on the bottom of the switch, to which guy-wires may be secured. The branch wire meets the continuous wire at X and is suitably secured thereto.

The action of the switch is as follows: Whatever direction the car may take on coming to the switch the trolley X will take the same direction. For example First. When the car comes from-A and goes toward 0, the car has passed the switch 011 the track when the trolley reaches the overhead switch, (which is over or nearly over the switch on the track.) As the plane of the trolley and its flanges always passes through the center of the car, where it is secured when the trolley is on the arm A, it is not in line with said arm, but is turned to ward O in line with the car, and one flange of the trolley presses against the arm A in such a manner as to cause the other flange to pass into the score D on reaching said score, thus guiding the trolleysafely upon the wire which is in the prolongation of the arm 0.

Second. iVhen the car passes from A to B, the flange of the trolley, which in the first case passed into the score D, is now not turned in that direction, but stands clear of it and passes the beginning of the score D and strikes the beginning of the score K between G and F. As this flange follows the score K, the level of that score is such that the trolley is carried in actual use so far down below the level of the wire that the other flange passes clear over the arm 0 without touching it, and the trolley thus passes to the right wire leading from B.

Third. \Vhen the ear passes from B to A, one flange of the trolleypasses into the score K between B and II, and as this flange follows the score K the other is carried clear of the arm 0 and the trolley passes to the right wire leading from A.

Fourth. IVhen the car passes from C to A. This case is quite simple, one flange of the trolley following the score D and the other having nothing to interfere with it.

In the side turn-out switches the arms A and B are in linei. 6., the line of the straight track. In the Y-switches the arm A is in the prolongation of the biseetor ot' the angle between the arms B and C. In a left-hand turnout the ear G H would simply be changed to the other side of the switch from that shown in the present drawings. The distance trom the center of score K at its lowest point to flange C at a point opposite should be slightly greater than the distance between the flanges of the trolley. The lowest point of K should be slightly lower when the switch .is horizontal than the opposite point of the flange C. The score K should be sufliciently narrow at its lowest point to confine the trolley by its flange to such a line that the other flange will pass clear of the flange A C at or near the point provided.

I do not confine myself to the specific righthand form of switch shown in the drawings, as it is obvious that the angles of divergence may be infinitely varied, according to the branching of the tracks, and still employ the principle of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim As a new article of manufacture, a switch for an overhead electrical conductor where two wires converge into one, said switch having one side consisting of a continuous flange connecting two wires, also having an interrupted flange higher than said continuous flange, one end of which interrupted flange is connected to a third wire and separated from said continuous flange by a score of such depth and width as will act as a suiiicient guide for the flange of the trolley, and a second score on the other side of the interrupted flange, the far side of said score being formed by anysuitable flange or ear, said second score being of such depth that when one flange of a trolley is passing through it the other flange will be carried clear of the continuous flange, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM LE ROY EMMET.

Witnesses:

WM. L. PIERCE, JOHN C. THOMPSON. 

